Apparatus for establishing a standard cranial point of orientation of living persons



Oct. 18, 1955 E. w. sNELL. 2,720,708

APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING A STANDARD CRANIAL POINT OF' ORIENTATION OFLIVING PERSONS Filed Oct. l2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l BYEDGAR W- SNEL'. MV

ATTORNEYS Oct. 18, 1955 w sNELL 2,720,708

E. APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING A STANDARD lCRANIAI.. POINT OF'ORIENTATION OF LIVING PERSONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. l2, 1953INVENTOR.

EDGAR W- SNELL ATTORNEYS Oct. 18 1955 E. w. sNELL 2,720,708

APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING A STANDARD CRANIAL POINT OF' ORIENTATION OFLIVING PERSONS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. l2, 1953 JNVENTOR.

EDGAR VV- SN ELL ATTORNEYS United States Patent O APPARATUS FORESTABLISHING A STANDARD CRANIAL POINT OF ORIENTATION OF LIVING PERSONSEdgar W. Snell, San Francisco, Calif. Application October 12, 1953,Serial No. 385,425 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-174) An object of my invention isto provide an improvement on my patent for an apparatus for establishinga standard cranial point of orientation of living persons, Patent No.2,101,105, issued December 7, 1937. In the patent I disclose anapparatus for establishing the cranial point of orientation that isabsolutely constant and from this point the accurate measuring of thehuman cranium and other parts of the human anatomy is made possible. Astabilizer was used in connection with the apparatus and this stabilizerwas placed upon the head of the one being examined. There was nomechanical connection between the stabilizer in the patented device andthe apparatus.

In the present case, the stabilizer is still mounted upon the head ofthe one being examined, and I provide novel means between the stabilizerand the apparatus to detect any movement of the head away from itsproper position with respect to the apparatus. The novel means willinstantly show any up or down movement of the head and will also showany turning of the head.

It is possible by subsequent registration to re-establish the same pointof orientation of the same person. For example, a tooth impression ontwo bite models could be taken during the first examination and also anX-ray picture. Six months later, the same person could be placed in thesame identical position formerly occupied and two additional bite modelsmade and a second X-ray picture taken. Therpictures and models for thesecond examination could be compared with the lirst to determine growthor change. The device makes it possible to reduce the number of X-raypictures taken of a person over a period of time, and thus thedetrimental elect of over exposure to the X-rays is greatly reduced.

Other objects and advantages willl appear in the followingspeciflcation, and the novel features of the device will be particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a partof this application, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a stabilizer used in connection with myapparatus for establishing a cranial' point of orientation, theapparatus being shown in section;

Figure 2 is an end view of a portion of the stabilizer;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the stabilizer, and the section lineIII-III in Fig. 1 shows that the apparatus is in horizontal crosssection;

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the stabilizer and orientating apparatusillustrated in Figure 3, with one of the indicating lamps being omitted,see the arrows IV- IV in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a section taken along the line V-V of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 5.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should beunderstood that various changes or modiiications may be made within thescope of the 2,720,708 Patented Oct. 18, 1955 appended claims withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In carrying out my invention, I will iirst describe certain features ofthe orienting apparatus disclosed in my Patent No. 2,101,105, that areused with my improved stabilizer and then will describe the improvedstabilizer in detail. The apparatus comprises a pair of boxes A and B,see Figure 3, that are movable toward and away from a median verticalplane indicated by the dot dash line C, by a mechanism, not shown. Themechanism shown in my patent for moving the boxes toward and away fromeach other, could be used so that the inner walls 1 and 2 of the twoboxes will be disposed equal distances from the median vertical plane C,at all times.

Hinged batiies 3 are connected between the inner walls 1 and 2 of theboxes so as to prevent any light from a lamp D from passing through thespace between the Walls 1 and 2. In Figure 1, I show the box A providedwith wheels 4 that ride on rails 5 which in turn are supported by aplatform E. The box B likewise has wheels, not shown, riding on therails 5. The lamp D is mounted in a housing F which is attached to theplatform E and does not move with the boxes A and B. 'Ihe housing F hastwo horizontally arranged slots 6 and 7, in the inner wall 8 of the lamphousing F, and these slots register with horizontal slots 9 and 10provided in the rear walls 11 and 12, respectively, of the boxes A andB, see Figures 1 and 3. Sliding gates 13 and 14 are mounted in the boxesA and B, respectively, and are designed to be removably disposed infront of the slots 9 and 10, respectively.

There are partitions 15 and 16 arranged in the boxes A and B,respectively, and these have horizontal slots 17 and 18 that lie in thesame plane as the slots 9 and 10. Additional sliding gates 19 and 20 areprovided as removable closures for the slots 17 and 18, respectively.The front walls 21 and 22 for the boxes A and B, have horizontal slots23 and 24 that lie in the same plane as the slots 17 and 18, and theyregister with these slots as well as the slots 9 and 10. A mirror 25extends across both front walls 21 and 22 of the boxes A and B, and ismounted in a frame 26 that in turn is supported by theV platform E so asnot to be moved with the boxes A and B. The mirror has a horizontal slot27 that registers with the front wall slots 23 and 24 of the boxes A andB.

It will also be noted from Figure 3, that the box A has aligned openings2S, 29 and 30, provided in the rear wall 11, partition 15 and front wall21, respectively, and these openings lie in the same horizontal plane Gas the slots 9, 17, 23 and 27. In like manner, the box B has alignedopenings 31, 32 and 33, provided in the rear wall 12, partition 16, andfront wall 22, respectively, and these openings lie in the samehorizontal plane G as the slots 19, 18, 24 and 27.

The row of registering openings 28, 29 and 30, and the row ofregistering openings 31, 32 and 33, cooperate with the slot 27 in themirror 25, to establish the horizontal plane indicated by the dot-dashline G in Figure l of the drawings. The plane G extends at right anglesto the median vertical plane C. The person to be tested, looks into themirror 25 so that the line of sight from the eyes 34 in the head H,register with the mirror slot'27. The

gates 13, 14, 19 and 2t? are adjusted to uncover the open-` ings 28, 29,31 and 32, and the boxes A and B are moved toward or away from eachother until the persons eyes 34 register with the row of openings 30, 29and 28, and the parallel row of openings 33, 32 and 31, see Figure 3.

The parts thus far described haveheen set forth in detail in my patent.v and the associate mechanism, differ from the patented structure. headH and the stabilizer J is anchored to the cap so'as The stabilizer nowto he described A cap 35 is preferably placed on the persons keptin'contact with the cap by an anchoring `frame 38 Y which rextends fromopposlte sides of theY base 37 and connects with the hat 35. The hat ispreferably tight fitting andafter it is placed on the head and thestabilizer connectedto the hat, a thin layer of plaster of Paris may beapplied between the frame 38 and the hat for anchoring the stabilizerbase from movement.

The stabilizer base 36 supports the stabilizer frame 39 by a ball andsocket joint 40, see Figure l. The frame 39 can be adjusted byadjustable legs 41 so that aY platn form 42 will Vremain in atruerhorizontal plane.V The frame 39 rotatably ,supports a shaft 43 thatcarries a weighted wheel 44 on which markings in degrees are made. Azero marking 45, on the wheel 44, when registering with a mark 46 on theframe, will indicate that the platform 42 yis perfectly horizontal in atransverse di Vrection with respect to the longitudinal plane C.

A Weighted pointer 47 is pivoted to the shaft 43 at 48 so as to alwayspoint upwardly in a vertical direction.`

. The upper pointed end of the pointer 47, rides under a quadrant 49that is fixed to the frame 39. When the Y pointer 47 registers with thecenter marking on the quadrant 49, the operator knows that the platformV42 lies in a horizontal plane from front to back of the platform.

Next I provide means for indicating any slight twisting of the headabout a vertical axis. A superstructure frame 50, see Figures l and 4,has the same general length arid `width as the platform 42 and isdisposed thereabove.

Plunger type terminals 51 and 52 are carried near the ends of thesuperstructure frame 50 and they have wedgeshaped lower ends 53, seeFigure 2,V that are designed to be received in V-shaped grooves 54,provided in the upper surface of plates 55 and 56 that are mounted ontop of the platform 42 and at each end thereof. The plunger typeVterminals 51 and 52, reciprocate in housings 50a that are carried by thesuperstructure frame 50. The lower ends ofthe housings 50a ride on theplates 55 and 56.

The grooves 54 in the plates 55 and 56 are in alignment with each otherand when the vertical plane through these grooves lies parallel with themedian vertical plane C,.the operator knows that the ystabilizer I is inproper position. As soon as the person twists his head to the right orto the left, the platform 42 will swing with the head land will movevthe plates 55 and 56 so that their grooves 54 will beV moved out ofregistration with the Wedge-shaped lower ends 53 of the plungers 51 and52. The plunger typerterminals 51 and 52 will therefore be raised andwill close electrical circuits to lamps 57 andY 58 and cause them to beilluminated, see Figure l. The source of current and the wiring for Ythelamps are not shown.

A bar magnet 59 is mounted on the platform 42 and a compass 60 iscarried by a housing 61 that is mounted on the superstructure 50. Y Thebar magnet extends in the direction of the length of the platform 42.The housing 67 and permits rotation ofthe shaft while holding it fromwithdrawal. The ball and socket connection 64 has a set screw 64a forsecuring the superstructure frame 50 from movement after the frame hasbeen moved into the desired position.

A counterweight 69 is adjustable along the free end of the lever 63 tocounterbalance the weight of the superstructure frame 50. As the personraises or lowers his head H, the superstructure frame 50 is also freeYto be l raised or lowered because the plunger type terminals 51 and 52will bear lightly against the plates 55 and 56. During any Vup or downmovement of the head H, the lever 63 will cause the bracket 65 to rockon its shaft 67 disposed in the arm 68. The set screw 67 permits thisrocking because it rides in the annular groove 83.

The accidental raising or lowering of the head H will be registered by'a dependingponter70, pivotedat 71 on a leg 72'tl1at extends downwardlyfrom the bracket 65. The leg 72 has a plurality of markings 73 arrangedin an arcuate'manner and the pointer 70 is free to swing j and ride overthese markings to indicate any movement ofthe lever into an angularpositionk with respect to a horizontal plane that extends through theaxis of the shaft 67. I provide means for limitingk the swinging of thellever 63Y and this comprises a post 74 that projects from a dependingmember 75 that is carried by the arm 68.

1 The leg 72 is channel-shaped, see Figures 5 andY 6, and

, vertical direction and will register any tilt of the lever Y the post74 projects into the channel. as a stop for the leg 72 and limits theswinging of the lever 63 and the leg when the post strikes either sideof the channel. The pointer 70 will always extend in, a

on the scale 73.

The arm 68( has a legY 76 that extends at right angles tov the arm andis slidably received in a sleeve 77. In Figure 4, I show the sleeve 77as being carried by a bracket 78, which in turn is supported by themirror vframe 26. A set screw 79' secures the leg 76 in the sleeve 77.The arm 68 is extensible or contractible and is in two parts 68a and68h. TheV part V68a has a tongue 79 thatY is slidably received in asocket 80, provided in the part 68b.`

- The tongue and socket are both noncircular in cross sec- 61 carries aninclined mirror 62 that reflects an image of Y the needle 60a of thecompass, and the needle will extend in the same direction as the barmagnet 59. The compass needle permits the operator to visually note thedirec tion in which the platform 42, extends.

- Supporting means for the superstructure frame is provided and thismeans is carried by the platform E` through the mirror frame 26. Thesupporting means so that .this weight need not be carried by the personbeing examined. In Figures 1, 3 and 4, I show a lever 63 that Vhas aball land socket connection 64 with the superstrucvcounterbalances theweight of the superstructure frame Y tion soV that the part 68b will notrotate on the tongue. A set screw 81 is carried by the part 68b andsecures it to the tongue 79 in yadjusted position, see Figure 3.

I also provide means for detecting the forward and backward movement ofthe'headV H. An upright 85 is mounted on top, of the mirror frame 26,see Figure 1, and this upright has a sleeve 86 at its top in which abeam 87 is adjustably mounted..4 A set screw-88 secures the bearrrinadjusted position. A `rotatable bearing .89 is mounted near the free endof the beam, and a horizontally disposed rod 9.0 is adjustably mountedin the bearing and is held against longitudinal movement by a set screw91. In Figure 4, the rod is shown extendingV transversely of thedevice.` In Figure l, the rod 90 is shown extendinglongitudinallyof thedevice for purposes of clarity.`

The bearing 89 permits the Vrod 90l to be swung through an arc of 360.Markings on -the two parts of the bearing Ypermit the angular positionof the rod to be noted with respect to the beam 87. l Y

Y Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the rod 90 carries adepending rod 92 and a ball and socket 93 connect the two rods together.AnX-ray lmrholder K is adjustably mounted on the rod 92 and set screws93 secure the holder in the desired position. A portable4 levelindicated by the dot dash lines in Figure 4, may be applied to the boardK after the desired angle has been reached and aerecord kept of theparticular ,anglerofj the board. This permits the board- KtoV be broughtto theV exact same position at a subsequent VexaminationV of the sameperson. X-ray lm 94 may be Vremovably secured to the board K. InFigure4, the X-ray film holder K is shown asbeing placed at one sideofthe head.

The description thus far has set forth a horizontal plane The post 74actsV G established by the eyes 34, and a vertical median plane C. Thecranial point 95 of orientation, see Figure 1, is established by theintersection of these two planes plus the intersection of a transverseperpendicular plane M. The cranial point of orientation 95, establishedby the intersection of these three planes, is the point used formeasurements to the various teeth 96. It will be noted that the plane Mcoincides with the glabella of the patients head H.

A pendulum 97 is pivoted to the beam 87 at 9S, and an extensibleforwardly projecting arm 99 is carried by the pendulum and contacts withthe patients forehead. The point of contact between the arm 99 and theforehead, establishes the position of the transverse perpendicular planeM. The forehead is pressed against the end of the arm 99 until thepointer 1G13, at the top of the pendulum, registers at the zero positionon the quadrant scale 101. The soft tissue in front of the glabella willbe compressed so that the transverse plane M coincides as nearly aspossible with the actual front portion of the skull.

It is assumed for the present case that it is desired to fix differentpoints of the occlusal plane relative to the cranial point oforientation 95. For this purpose, the patient can make a bite, the bitehaving a fixed L- shaped arm 102 extending into a receptacle 103 that iscarried by the platform E, see Figure 1. The patients head has beenpositioned in the manner described and the receptacle 103 can be filledwith plaster of Paris 104 to hold the bite arm 102 in the fixedposition.

The patient may now remove his head H and permit the bite arm to remainin position. The operator may then ploceed by any suitable means tophysically X the point of orientation 95 defined by the intersection ofthe three planes C, G, and M, and may then take the desired measurementsfrom this point as indicated by the line 105, Later on, the patient mayplace his head H in the same position formerly occupied. A second bitecan be taken and then the operator can compare this with the rst one.Growth or change can thus be detected.

It is possible to use the device when examining a person that has onlyone eye. When the person turns his head about a vertical axis, the lowerends of the housings 50a ride on the plates 55 and 56, while the plungertype terminals 51 and 52 move out of the grooves 54 and close theelectric circuits, not shown, for illuminating the lights. Should theperson raise or lower his head without twisting it, the housings 50amaintain the same spacing between the stabilizer frame 39 and thesuperstructure frame 50. In this way the plunger type terminals 51 and52 will not close the electric circuits to the lights 57 when the personmerely raises his head without turning it. The set screw 64a holds thesuperstructure frame against relative movement with respect to the lever63 when the stabilizer frame 39 is raised or lowered, or rotated about avertical axis.

I clairn:

1. In a device of the type described: a stabilizer adapted to beremovably secured to the head of a person and including a platform;means carried by the stabilizer for indicating when the platform lies ina horizontal plane; and means for detecting when the platform swings inthe horizontal plane so as to detect any turning of the persons headabout a vertical axis; said last-named means including Vshaped groovesplaced at the ends of the platform and being in alignment with eachother; a frame supported above the platform and having dependingplungers with wedge-shaped lower ends adapted to be received in thegrooves; and a light carried by the frame and associated with eachplunger and adapted to be illuminated when the platform is moved by thepersons head for moving either or both grooves out of registry with thewedge-shaped end of the plunger; whereby the plunger will be raised andWill elect the illumination of the light associated therewith.

2. In a device of the type set forth in claim l; and in which means isprovided for detecting the vertical raising or lowering of the platformcaused by the raising or lowering of the persons head on which thestabilizer is mounted.

3. In a device of the type described: a platform removably secured tothe head of a person; a frame disposed above the platform and havingmeans lightly resting upon the platform; a counterbalanced lever havinga ball and socket connection with the frame for supporting practicallythe entire weight of the frame so that the persons head will be relievedof this weight; a bracket for pivotally supporting the lever so that thelever will normally lie in a horizontal plane and will be free to swingabout a horizontal axis; the bracket carrying a depending,channel-shaped leg that will swing away from a vertical position whenthe lever is swung; a free-swinging pointer pivotally carried by theleg; said leg having markings thereon over which the pointer swings toindicate the angular position of the lever with respect to a horizontalplane that passes through the axis of the pivotally supported bracket;and a stop received in the channel for limiting the swing of thedepending leg in either direction from a vertical position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 788,362Lavery Apr. 25, 1905 1,897,941 Lavery Feb. 14, 1933 2,101,105 Snell Dec.7, 1937

